Mudslinging rampant in Kahn, Williams race for state Senate seat

November 6, 2006 —

The 32nd district state Senate race between Democrat Carl Williams of Saginaw and Republican Roger Kahn of Saginaw Township is shaping out to be one of the closest - and costliest - races in the state.

Williams, a term-limited state representative from the 95th district state House seat, is facing Kahn, a one-term representative from the 94th district House seat. Both candidates are vying to replace term-limited state Senator Mike Goschka, a Brant Republican.

The Democrats have not held a majority in the state Senate since 1983. Going into the election, Republicans currently hold a 22-16 majority. However, the unpopularity of President Bush has led much of the nation - including Michigan, which has seen a tepid campaign from gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos - trending blue.

Democrats need to capture three seats to take back the Senate if Jennifer Granholm is reelected; in the event of a tie, the lieutenant governor, as President of the Senate, serves as the tiebreaker.

Each state Senate district contains roughly 250,000 constituents. The 32nd district Senate seat, which contains Saginaw and Gratiot counties, encompasses a wide variety of demographics, including poor inner-city neighborhoods, wealthy suburbs, and wide tracts of predominately agricultural land.

In the 2004 presidential election, voters in the 32nd district preferred Democrat John Kerry to President Bush by a roughly 52-47 percent margin.

Kahn, 61, is a former cardiologist who before entering state politics previously served on the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners. Williams, 64, is a former Delphi Steering Systems employee who prior to election to the 95th House seat served on the Saginaw City Council from 1991-2000.

The race has received substantial media attention, some of which has been negative. Williams picked up an endorsement from the Detroit Free Press that praised his legislative experience, while the Saginaw News decided to endorse Kahn, focusing on his work in healthcare reform.

Mudslinging has been a hallmark of this campaign. Kahn has accused his opponent's campaign of everything from violating campaign finance laws, slashing political signs, to supporting the rights of pedophiles over protecting children.

Williams has attacked his opponent for his support for legislation that offers doctors immunity from certain medical malpractice cases and for his alleged attempt to suppress voter turnout.

Michigan campaign finance records show that Williams, as of Oct. 19, reported roughly $500,000 in campaign contributions this election cycle. Kahn has raised roughly $425,000, but his personal wealth has enabled him to write some of his own campaign checks, increasing his total campaign contributions to nearly $660,000.

Kahn has been endorsed by several prominent organizations, including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, the Great Lakes Education Project, and the Michigan Manufacturers Association. Williams has been endorsed by the United Auto Workers, Michigan AFL-CIO, and the American Federation of Teachers Michigan, among others.